It's no secret that a
120GB Zune is
on the way, and thanks to B&H Photo, it looks like we also know how much it'll cost: $249. That's right in the range (and more bang for the buck than a certain fruit company's large-capacity player), so we can't say we're too surprised -- but what's this listed right under it? A blue flash Zune for $149? Indeed it is -- and with the
most mythical of Zune colors about to make its debut along with those rumored
media and
software / social services updates, we're guessing the Zune Guy is rethinking that whole
"f***ing bulls**t" assessment. Then again, probably not.
Update: More intrigue. Zunerama just posted
this shot of a Wal-Mart stock system showing the 80GB and 4GB Zunes as discontinued. Yeah, something's up -- hopefully we'll find out soon.
[Via
Zunerama]
posted Sep 2nd 2008 12:16PM
Zune = Faildozer
Kurt=Fail This is a very good deal Apple charges $350 for something like this $249 is very reasonable for 120gb media player. I may just pick one up
Apple = latrine
Who knew being a fanboy could be so rewarding... People will like me now.
People, where have you been? Didn't you get the memo?
Badmouthing anything from Microsoft on Engadget = low ranked.
Badmouthing anything from Apple on Engadget = high ranked.
Badmouthing anything from Apple while praising something from Microsoft on Engadget = Epic Hero status.
Yet the Winbots call Apple customers fanboys. Ah the irony.
Quix: Why would you expect to get highly rated badmouthing Microsoft in a MICROSOFT article? An article that MICROSOFT users would be most interested in. An article that an Apple user would gain absolutely nothing from or have any knowledge about. An article that an Apple fanboy just comes in to spew their worthless opinion in. Apple fanboys coming in and whining about how Apple is perfect and everyone needs to switch deserve to be low ranked. ...maybe even banned.
I have owned a 30gb Zune since right after Christmas last year (which makes it early this year if you didn't catch that) and I can honestly say, I loved it until 2 things happened:
1. My software won't install on my computer now, so it's basically a brick. I've spent hours and hours trying every combination of install/uninstall/virus scan/etc to no avail.
2. I found out that it has some serious encryption security on the chip which makes it the most proprietary piece of personal digital storage in existence. What does this mean? It means without the Zune software, as previously stated, it's a brick. It won't sync to anything besides that software (which is basically a skinned WMP11).
Since I use Ubuntu 99% of the time, this does not bode well for me.
I will not be purchasing any more Microsoft products. Ever. Again.
I might even consider buying an iPod just to be spiteful, and I don't like iPods, nor am I spiteful by nature.
Thanks a lot for not a whole lot Microsoft. You've lost a customer for life.
@sotec_productions:
So... Let me get this straight. You bought an MP3 player on clearance (what was it then...$70?) and you didn't bother to read the hardware/software requirements. Now you're blaming the company for all of the problems in your whole life because they didn't cater to you when they developed the product a few years before you bought it. You advertise that you use a free OS (that's not Windows) and then you claim how Microsoft has lost a customer that it never had.
Ok then...
really no one cares about the zune. I tried one before and it didn't seem bad i think ms should make the software to sync it work with mac and linux, then they might sell more zunes
Right. Make it work with OSs that combined are less than 10% of the market and magically it will be a hit. Do you think any Apples zealots will buy anything MS? It'll hardly be worth the effort.
What's a Mac? Some sort of hamburger right?
I hate seeing this comment lowranked.
Overall OS marketshare has nothing to do with the market of people buying portable media players. OSX may have ~7% marketshare overall, but you can almost guarantee that those with apple computers are more likely to purchase PMPs (a large majority of windows machines are for office purposes). At a number of universities the PC/Mac ratio is 50/50 or greater. Ignoring these potential customers seems like a major hindsight by Microsoft.
tl;dr - Certain people are more likely to buy PMP's than others. Not everyone who buys a PC buys a PMP.
Zune just sucks. Won't work with my Mac. No big deal, thats why I use an iPod. Won't work with audible.com, sucks - thats why I bought my iPod, I do a lot of long distance driving and enjoy the audio books. Won't work with overdrive audio books and plays for sure. Great, now even microshaft isn't supporting their own "standards." I'll keep my 160gb classic thank-you very much.
Sweet, now the Zune 80 will be cheap on Woot! in a few weeks.
i just bought a 80GB for $250. so cool for everybody but me.
What's a Zune?
That quote was stupid because if he bought a zune instead of an iphone he wouldn't be able to make calls either.
Okay why did you have to go and remove the reply i was referencing, now i seem like a rambling idiot. Why engadget? Why?
@Kurt
The zunes is better than most of the ipods and are up the top with creative zens and Zen X-FIs. So KURT=Retard
(Disclaimer- I have not owned any ipods, Zens or Zen Xfis or Zunes ( I live in the uk). I do plan to own a zen X-fi if the new ipods are crap and expensive.)
So youve said that Zunes are better in almost every way. You even said Creatives are better in almost every way.
Yet you are going to wait for the ipod....hmm something doesnt add up.
Your point being
Well it appears he's an impartial consumer looking the buy the best product he can get. He seems willing to give any product a chance as long as the quality is there, thus waiting to see what the new series of ipods will be like. Does it all add up to you now?
2+2= Adderz is stupid. ur right it does add up.
You gotta be kidding me, I tipped Engadget at least a month ago with picture evidence of a blue Zune!
After some searching I managed to dig up the picture I sent engadget..
http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/90204/skinit-for-zune-and-a-blue-zune.html
Blue buttons!
I was really close to picking up a Zune yesterday (to write XNA games for it) but I'm glad I didn't. Hopefully this means a price drop for the 80gb version so I can get that nice big screen without shelling out the full $250 asking price. I'm still going to get one either way, but it's definitely worth a wait to see what happens to the pricing structure from here.
120 GB zune for $249 or a 80 GB iPod Classic for the same price. WTF is wrong with you people, seriously. they both do the same damn thing and the zune has a bigger screen. The Steve-o you worship points and laughs at you sheep all the way to the bank.
Same thing? The zune has wi-fi and a radio. Not to mention it won't try to kill you in your sleep :P
The 120 GB Zune @ $249.99 = $2.08 per GB
The 160 GB iPod @ $349.99 = $2.18 per GB
The 80 GB iPod @ $249.99 = $3.12 per GB
But that's the current line up... you know Apple is going to increase the capacity and keep the price the same on September 9th. Even just a bump to 180 GB and the price per GB drops to $1.94. I really don't think they'll stop at 180 though. Last time they jumped from 80 to 160... my guess is that they'll jump from 160 to at least 200, but I wouldn't be surprised if they figured out how to shove 320 in there. If that's the case then...
The (imagined) 320 GB iPod @ $349.99 = $1.09 per GB.
Who really wins? (Remember, Microsoft has ALWAYS been playing catch up on capacity, releasing an almost equal size right before Apple jumps theirs.)
*Note on per GB prices: I've rounded all numbers down, no mater what the value of their 3rd spot.
Somebody please pass this to Microsoft:
"Instead of making more variations of Zune, please make it available worldwide".
Thanks.
Price Drop the 80gb Zunes!!! Come oooooonnn (I currently have a 30gb Zune)
Oh so it seems like they may be just doing a spec upgrade on their hardware like apple did with the ipod video when they did the 5.5 update, but I think there will be much better software and possibly something like an ipod touch competitor put into the market. Who knows, but we'll see.
It would be a waste of your hard earned money to buy this "me too" product from MS. You would be much better off spending it on a state of the art device like the iPod Touch. The new games alone that are quickly populating the iTunes app store make the Zune look like a toy for pre-school children. It's pointless to have these so called updates for the Zune. It has nothing unique about it. Well perhaps its incredibly crippled WiFi and Squirt features are something to barely brag about.
How would it be a waste? A better device with higher sound quality and more memory than it's similarly priced competitor, that does everything as well or better than said competitor. What sounds like a waste is the 80GB iPod Classic.
State of the art iPod Touch? How is that state of the art, when I can get a similar product (Archos) for roughly the same price with a bigger screen and a TON more memory and features? Archos has the iPod Touch looking like a child's toy, and better yet, the Archos doesn't use shitTunes! Sounds like a bargain to me.
Why is it pointless to have these updates? Because it doesn't work for iPods? Maybe it's because you're jealous? Really, with your recent tirade against the Zune and MS REALLY makes you sound like you are.
If the Zune is a "me too" player (not saying it isn't), then you can say that about damn near everything Apple has ever created, and any other product in this world. Your arguments have no merit.
I switched to a Zune from a few difference generations of iPods. I'll never buy another iPod. ...ever.
If you said, "the new games on Windows based machines make the games populating the iTunes app store look like toys for special olympic kids" then, I could agree with you. I have better things to do when I go out. ...or are you the guy at the bar playing with his iTunes app store games?
It must be difficult to be a Zune fan. With your favorite mascot finally departing your ranks, its up to you two to try and firm up support for this failed player.
First the argument that there are no games on the device will make it a failure. Now that games are there and easily surpasses your Zune players by a tremendous margin, your argument is now reversed. Hilarious.
Poor ZG, still unable to comprehend why the Touch is the next generation of players and why the Zune is even more obsolete than before. How sad.
Hey Mac guy, go check yourself before ripping on anyone about the availability of games.
Hows the Apple Kool-aid, Jubei?
All I can do is laugh at your post. You have yet to come up with a single rebuttal (or anything similar that matters or makes any sense) thereby proving your ignorance.
iPod Touch is the next generation of players? LOL! If that's so, any Archos player must be the next few generations after that!
You're such a pompous fool.
Again poor ZG. Still unable to grasp the big picture. Your narrow field of vision also encompasses your narrow field of thought. Its more than just the player, its the sum of all parts. The iPod Touch, think hard ZG. I know it hurts, but you can do it. I'm sure you can.
I would like you to actually think about what you're saying, this next time. I think you're better than this, but maybe not- prove me wrong.
"Still unable to grasp the big picture. Your narrow field of vision also encompasses your narrow field of thought."
Sort of like looking Apple as being the best, right? Having the best of everything? That's not a "narrow field of thought", is it? Of course not... /sarcasm
"Its more than just the player, its the sum of all parts. The iPod Touch, think hard ZG."
More than just a player? Well... It plays movies... Music... Has a picture viewer... Can surf the internet on an obnoxiously small screen hardly fit for the task... Play a few games that, from what I've seen, other than Spore, are not that good. The Archos, however, has all those features, but with a fully equipped browser, a bigger, higher resolution screen, built in speakers, a lot more memory, TV recording, high definition output, 5.1 channel surround sound output, streaming from the PC, and the ability to buy and download movies, music, and other content independently, all for the same or less amount of money... An Archos is a MUCH better deal, and is also not tied to iTunes, which for many is a plus.
While you have continued to mindlessly try to insult me, I have backed my position with many arguments that you have yet to rebuke. If you're going to sit there and post bullshit, at the very least, try to back it up other than stating the fact that it's from Apple.
Is that it? As I said the sum of all parts. Your whimpy check list makes you look even more sillier. Now you have abandonded your much maligned Zune and moved on defending a competitive device that easily blows away the Zune. How quick of you to abandon your pride and joy.
Yes, that's it. I have summed up everything- the only thing I left out was the touch screen... Which both have, only the Archos screen is bigger. My "whimpy check list" is far from whimpy (and doesn't make me look "more sillier", or even silly at all), as it is a list of pretty much every major feature of both products. Any Archos beats the iPod Touch hands down, and no, you buffoon, I haven't abandoned my "pride and joy"- I have simply used a product that is more directly in competition with the iPod Touch than the Zune 80 is (they are on two COMPLETELY different levels and not designed to compete with each other). The Zune 80 (16, 8), all dominate their iPod counterparts in darn near every way- the most important being build quality, of which I have experience with both, having had three iPods previous to my Zunes, all three of said iPods being long gone with their worn "click-wheels" and horribly scratched cases, yet both Zunes work like the day I got them, and don't look much different from then, either. Not only am I speaking for my self, but I'm also speaking for my friends and co-workers who have since switched from their iPods to Zunes or Creative players after replacing them left and right. The iPod is absurdly popular for no reason- just like Halo 3. There are better products out there... Just one of those mysteries of the world...
Yes, that's it. I have summed up everything- the only thing I left out was the touch screen... Which both have, only the Archos screen is bigger. My "whimpy check list" is far from whimpy (and doesn't make me look "more sillier", or even silly at all), as it is a list of pretty much every major feature of both products. Any Archos beats the iPod Touch hands down, and no, you buffoon, I haven't abandoned my "pride and joy"- I have simply used a product that is more directly in competition with the iPod Touch than the Zune 80 is (they are on two COMPLETELY different levels and not designed to compete with each other). The Zune 80 (16, 8), all dominate their iPod counterparts in darn near every way- the most important being build quality, of which I have experience with both, having had three iPods previous to my Zunes, all three of said iPods being long gone with their worn "click-wheels" and horribly scratched cases, yet both Zunes work like the day I got them, and don't look much different from then, either. Not only am I speaking for my self, but I'm also speaking for my friends and co-workers who have since switched from their iPods to Zunes or Creative players after replacing them left and right. The iPod is absurdly popular for no reason- just like Halo 3. There are better products out there... Just one of those mysteries of the world...
oh wow jubei
big words
howdidja figure out how to use dictionary.com ??
@Jubei
You have to be the most pathetic apple troll here in engadget. Your baseless comments and bizarre fascination with anything made by apple leaves me to believe that you have no life outside of this blog. If you really need someone to talk to, don't come here and post asinine comments, go and call the national suicide prevention lifeline.
Go get help.
@Jubei
You have to be the most pathetic apple troll here in engadget. Your baseless comments and bizarre fascination with anything made by apple leaves me to believe that you have no life outside of this blog. If you really need someone to talk to, don't come here and post asinine comments, go and call the national suicide prevention lifeline.
Go get help.
...ah whoops double post. I should try to be a bit more patient...
"Update: More intrigue. Zunerama just posted this shot of a Wal-Mart stock system showing the 80GB and 4GB Zunes as discontinued. Yeah, something's up -- hopefully we'll find out soon."
um... should I have told you then that Best Buy has had them discontinued for a couple weeks now as well?
This thing is only available in the U.S. after all these years... I was going to buy one but I'm sure it will be discontinued before it comes here...
I want to know when the Zune will be released in the UK, I wanted one since they came out and am disappointed we are still left behind.
I would love the 120gb version.
Do these still work ok in the UK?
Is it just the Zune store I can't use if I import one?
You can't use zune store and your warranty won't count.
It would not surprise me if the next place they release the Zune is Japan, the other place that hates Microsoft to the bone, Microsoft just loves leaking money.
I'm sure MS will announce the new Zune before Apple's event. They have almost no other way to get press for the poor-selling Zune, so they'll certainly take this opportunity to scream "FIRST POST!".
At my local Target, I saw that the Zune 80s and the Zune nanos(whatever they're called) are on clearance. The zune nanos were going for $110~. Not sure about the 80s.
I can't wait to watch the youtube confessional of Zune Guy with his new zune.
That frontal lisp gets me every time.
I just want that guy STFU.
I'm in the market for a new MP3 player, if the new Zunes are better than the new iPods, I might just jump ship.
(sorry for double post)
I bought a Zune 80gb after owning 2 generation of iPods and I've never looked back. The Zune is better in every way. I've never had to reset my Zune and the Zune software never broke the burning function of my CD/DVD drive (I had to constantly reset my iPods and iTunes installed a mandatory crap driver that deactivated my DVD/RW drive). You can sync from outside your house (like, in your car). The included headphones are actually good! Plus, you won't look like a tool since you can install your own background that shows up on all menus.
I ordered from Zune Originals and the customer service has been awesome. The Zune I got was missing the earbud sizing covers. I called customer service and they sent me a whole brand new pair of their premium headphones. ...no questions asked. If you check out Zune.net, you've got a whole community to share your experiences with. There are active members of the Zune team on there and they actually listen to you. Seriously, what other product team develops features directly with the customer?
Oh, sonuva... I bought an 80GB for my wife just a couple months ago for $250. And that was after buying one for myself earlier this year. Blargh. Oh well, live and learn.
I just gotta look at it this way: both of us have gotten a lot of use out of our Zunes in this short period of time (they were invaluable while driving from Jersey to Michigan and back last month). We take our Zunes everywhere and I have to admit, 80GB is more than enough for my wife and while 120GB would be nice for me, I still have 16GB free on mine right now, so I shouldn't complain. Comes in extremely handy at work during those hurry-up-and-wait moments for which I occupy that waiting time by catching up on episodes of Boston Legal or Dexter.
Microsoft needs an iPod Touch competitor.
Do something more with that built-in WiFi.
I really liked the inteface on the zune, but I hate the zune software. Why doesn't microsoft allow you to sync the zuen with wmp.
I like the Zune software, except for the fact that it (and WMP11) won't install on one of my personal laptop with MCE 2002.
I love the fact that I can add and delete songs from the Zune, regardless of which computer it's "synced" to. I have two other computers that I use.
i got an 80 back at the beginning of the summer and its treated me real well. im super pleased with the device. im not going to buy this one cause the 80 is doing its job great.
however, this means that there wont be any major updates coming this winter probably and we will get one some time next year. and i shall invest in that as well i suspect.
What's a zuen?
It would be great if Microsoft would let us trade up our 80 gigs for 120s, since they're the same price. Obviously they won't. Just an impossible dream I have.
I switched to a Zune from a few difference generations of iPods. I'll never buy another iPod. ...ever.
If you said, "the new games on Windows based machines make the games populating the iTunes app store look like toys for special olympic kids" then, I could agree with you. I have better things to do when I go out. ...or are you the guy at the bar playing with his iTunes app store games?
Disregard comment... Reply that the comment system misplaced
Quix: Why would you expect to get highly rated badmouthing Microsoft in a MICROSOFT article? An article that MICROSOFT users would be most interested in. An article that an Apple user would gain absolutely nothing from or have any knowledge about. An article that an Apple fanboy just comes in to spew their worthless opinion in. Apple fanboys coming in and whining about how Apple is perfect and everyone needs to switch deserve to be low ranked. ...maybe even banned.
Disregard comment. Reply that the comment system misplaced.
It would be great if someone would make a portable media player that was real competition for Apple, but the Zune certainly isn't it.
If Microsoft had only made the device they had planned to make in the first place they would have had something to compete with- but over time they took away feature after feature (mostly due to internal politics) and were left with the very mediocre Zune.
This is the same process that turned Vista: it also started out as an ambitious new OS with features such as the removal of the Registry, a true journaled file system, etc. But these were gradually removed, mostly over backwards compatibility concerns, and we're left with Vista as it is.
http://www.learnucd.com/kevlar/vista-bad
anyone know if the new ipods or the zunes will have stereo bluetooth?
Question, the prices listed are what they're going to pay us to take one off their hands, correct.??
Why do Apple fanboys have to ruin every story with their comments?
Why do Apple fanboys have to ruin every story with their comments?
wtf does "fan boy" mean
i was going to get the zune 80 like 2 weeks ago, then i heard about this 120.. and for the same price im sold
i had an ipod, it was ok.. bought an archos, it was good.. now its time to try the zune
what's up with all these angry virgins going off on each other fighting about apple and microsoft over n over.. if you'd put forth that same effort into getting laid you'd be a lot happier in life ;)
buried this mess
http://digg.com/microsoft/120GB_Zune_priced_at_249_blue_flash_Zune_in_the_works
The Zune 120 GB Version is gone from the link. Maybe somebody jumped the gun on posting it in their online catalog?
You know what's funny, despite of Apple fanboi's claim that Zune is nothing compared to iPod, they continue bash articles like this. Shouldn't be the proper reaction if something is not a threat is just to ignore it?
Well I know what my new mp3 player will be. $250 for 120gb is hard to beat.
ITS TRUE ABOUT THE ZUNE BLUE.. I WORK ON A WAREHOUSE AND WE SHIP THEM TWO WEEKS AGO. IT LOOKS GOOD!!... SOME FOLKS EVEN STOLE SOME LOL!
you got to hook us up with one of those!
i pods do suck apple knows how to trap there customers in thinking there company is worlds best which ony stands for the highest price for mp3 and computers apple sucks i had ipod touch worth no more then 100 if not 150.00 stupidest thing and what a name IPOD